Mercer (DropShip class)

Mercer
Production information
Manufacturer	Clan Steel Viper
Production Year	3065
Use	Assault Transport
Type	Military Spheroid
Tech Base	Clan
Technical specifications
Mass	4500 tons
Structural Integrity	30
Length	82 meters
Width	65 meters
Height	65 meters
Safe Thrust	2.5 g
Max Thrust	4 g
Fuel (tons)	100 tons
Fuel (days)
Armament	2x Gauss rifle 14x ER PPC 14x ER Large Laser 6x Large Pulse Laser 21x ER Medium Laser 4x Medium Pulse Laser 6x LRM-20 w/Artemis IV 2x Streak SRM-6
Armor	66 tons standard
Crew	20 4 Officers 16 Enlisted
Escape Pods/Life Boats	4/0
Heat Sinks	175 double
BV (1.0)	11,188 13,213
BV (2.0)	18,038

Description

Clan Steel Viper engineers developed the Mercer-class DropShip after their ejection from the Inner Sphere by Clan Jade Falcon. To show that they were still a force to be reckoned with, the Vipers planned an assault on their longtime enemies, Clan Snow Raven. Knowing the Ravens would challenge any landing attempts they made, the Viper Khans realized that they needed a heavily armed and well-protected 'Mech transport. The Viper Khan's concern was simple: The massive naval forces of the Snow Ravens would rip through a standard fleet of Union-C DropShips, destroying 'Mech Trinaries before they even hit the ground.

With this in mind, the Mercer was developed to move forces into position while maximizing the armament and protection mounted on the hull. Ultimately the 'Mech storage capacity was reduced to a single Binary, but the armor protection mounted on the Mercer was maximized. In the Viper's attack on Lum, the Mercer performed well, delivering its cargo of 'Mechs to the ground while still fighting off the Snow Raven forces. While ultimately unsuccessful, the assault on Lum disrupted production for over a month. The Snow Ravens were able to down at least two Mercer-class DropShips in flight and destroy a third on the ground. It is unknown if any of these vessels were salvageable.

Despite the Annihilation of Clan Steel Viper, the Mercer is still widely available among the Clans of the ilClan Era.

Armament

Most of the Mercer's armament appears to be geared at fighting aerospace fighters and other DropShips. The Pulse Lasers and LRM's with Artemis IV fire control systems improve the odds of hitting fast-moving targets, while the Streak SRM-6 launchers won't fire until they have a target lock. For long-range direct fire support, the Mercers mount a large array of Extended Range PPCs and Extended Range Large Lasers. Firing into every arc, these weapons can damage opponents regardless of distance. To provide additional firepower, the nose mounts a pair of Gauss rifles. These long-range, low-heat weapons inflict serious damage on any DropShip or aerospace fighter foolish enough to get in their path.

One thing that has baffled some Inner Sphere observers is the lack of LB-X Autocannon. These weapons typically allow for a higher hit probability against fast-moving targets like aerospace fighters. Though they may be an "inelegant" weapon, the Clan's traditional disdain for using DropShips in combat would seem to negate that problem.

Cargo

The primary cargo bay on the Mercer, accessible through four doors, is devoted to storing a Binary of Clan OmniMechs. This includes the 'Mechs and facilities to maintain them. The second bay, with its two access doors, contains ammunition, spare parts, and consumables for the Mercer and her 'Mech cargo. Almost 600 tons of cargo room allow the Mercers in the Steel Viper touman to remain operational.

• Bay 1: BattleMechs (10), 4 doors
• Bay 2: Cargo (586 tons), 2 doors

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Krämer, which translates to Chandler.

Gallery

• 

  Original Mercer from TRO:3067

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3067